Doreen Smith, age 9, of South River, New Jersey,for her question:

How did Valentine's Day begin?

Often we feel too shy to tell people we love them, or we just plain forget to mention it. But next Monday we can send each and every one a Valentine. A red paper heart tells them what me mean, though we may add sweet messages and dainty designs. Sweethearts and married folk often send Valentine candy or flowers. It all started in Rome, more than 2,000 years ago.

In those days it was the Feast of Lupercalia, on February 15. And it was only for young sweethearts to go dating. In 496 A.D., the date was changed to February 14 and named for Saint Valentine, who lived around 270 A.D. But there were two Saint Valentines at that time. One was a priest living in Rome, one was a bishop about 60 miles away. We have forgotten which Saint Valentine was chosen. But we do know that nowadays the great day is for everybody    girls and boys, old and young, friends and sweethearts.